Introduction
Have you ever wondered what is being taught in our school books – and who is deciding about it? Nowadays studies are not just limited to syllabus or exams, but politics has also started to mix in it.
As a student, I always thought that the classroom is a safe space – where we can ask questions without fear, explore new ideas. But now it seems that that freedom is slowly slipping away.
Autocratic control in education means when some people have complete control over the education – who decide what to teach and what not. When the syllabus becomes biased, history is twisted, and uncomfortable truths are hidden… then understand that there is only control in the name of studies, not learning.
This article will shed light on this silent crisis – because if we do not wake up today, tomorrow’s generation will learn only one thought: what has been told to them.
What Is Autocratic Control in Education?
Autocratic control in education means when education is controlled by a few powerful people. Meaning, what will be taught in school, which topic will be avoided, or from what angle history will be told – all these decisions are taken not by students or teachers, but by political or ideological people.
The effect of this is that education does not remain neutral. Children are given only a specific narrative, due to which their thinking gets limited. When fear takes the place of open discussion in the classroom, then understand – education has become a tool of control, not a means of learning.
Signs That Autocratic Control Is Growing
When do you understand that autocratic control in education is increasing? There are some clear signs to identify.
First, biased changes in the curriculum – like some topics are removed, some historical facts are twisted.
Second, banned books or silenced authors – who speak the truth, are replaced by safe and controlled content in the syllabus.
Third sign: teachers are prevented from speaking freely, and they are pressurized to teach according to only one narrative. When in place of diversity of thought in the classroom, only one version is seen, then understand – control has been established.
How It Affects Students and Teachers
When autocratic control in education increases, the first impact falls on students and teachers.
Instead of becoming open-minded thinkers, students become followers of a single thought. Critical thinking, creativity, and the habit of asking why slowly starts to disappear.
Teachers are also not safe. They have to hide their personal views and teach only what they have been told. If they say something different, even their job could be in danger.
The real meaning of education is to explore, to question – but when the control becomes too much, then teaching becomes just a script.
Why It Should Concern Everyone
This is not just about school or college — autocratic control in education shapes the thinking of an entire generation. When children are given only one narrative, their decision-making, logic and humanity all become weak.
Imagine, if every school teaches such biased things, then tomorrow’s citizens will just follow blindly — they will not take decisions after thinking. This is dangerous for democracy.
And the scariest part? Many people feel that this is not their issue — but education decides everyone’s future.
Want to read more on this?
Check this global study on education & control by Brookings Institution:
🔗 How political influence shapes education policy
Who Is Controlling What We Learn?
Autocratic control in education means that only a few people or groups decide what will be taught to the children. These people can be government officials, political parties, or people who prepare the syllabus and teaching standards according to their own views. Sometimes the media also gets involved in this, which tries to create a particular thought in the minds of people.
Teachers should have enough confidence and freedom to express their views without any fear so that they can guide students in a better way.
For this reason, sometimes those topics are removed from school which promote truth or different thinking. Meaning, the one who controls also shapes the thinking of the future generation.
What Can Be Done?
When autocratic control in education is increasing, it is important to think about its solution together. The first step is to spread awareness – parents, teachers, and students will have to understand how important freedom is in education.
Teachers must be empowered so that they can share their ideas openly, without any fear. Open discussions and critical thinking must be promoted in schools.
At the same time, the government and civil society must come together to formulate transparent policies where the syllabus is unbiased and inclusive. Parents and the community must also raise their voice for their rights so that education does not become just a tool of control, but a means of real learning.
Conclusion
Autocratic control in education is not just an issue of one school or syllabus, but a major concern for the future of our country. When we do not give freedom in our education, the foundations of new ideas, creativity, and democracy will be weakened.
That is why every teacher, parent, and student must collectively understand this problem and face it. We all must collectively demand an education system where every child can learn according to his or her own thinking, without any fear.
Let us collectively make our education a free and empowering place – where learning is not controlled, but the growth of the students themselves is most important.